Advertise on podcast: Meg Talks - The MWM Irish Dance Podcast

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle discuss the emotional and practical aspects of preparing for major Irish dance competitions, focusing on managing nerves, setting goals, and creating a positive mindset for dance day. Chapters:03:08 - Setting the scene for a major competition04:15 - Common nerves and how they manifest05:09 - Sensory experiences and their impact on nerves06:51 - The chaos of competition day and managing overstimulation09:20 - Why major competitions feel different12:06 - Preparing mentally in the days leading up to the event16:52 - Creating positive routines and mini goals20:33 - Managing thoughts and worries through journaling23:14 - Supporting your dancer emotionally and practically26:05 - Focusing on one correction at a time28:16 - Upcoming events and how to connect 🔎Focus Finders Quiz - HereOr comment UNLOCK on any of our posts and we'll send it over.

The first class back, heavy legs, and the thought that everyone else did more. Meg explains why adding more never fixes the root, what "one thing" really means, and how parents can protect energy in the weeks before All Scotland. Chapters:02:06 - The urge to do more and focusing instead03:29 - The significance of understanding your 'why'04:45 - Using the sore throat analogy to find root causes06:32 - Identifying underlying causes for dance corrections08:01 - The importance of personalised solutions09:24 - Different causes for similar symptoms10:15 - Tools for targeted improvement and tracking progress12:02 - Supporting dancers and parental roles14:31 - Taking action: the quiz and five-day challenge   🔎Focus Finders Quiz - HereOr comment UNLOCK on any of our posts and we'll send it over. 💛Never face a term alone, the Gold Club: Join

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle discuss the importance of community, sharing worries, and supporting dancers through mindset and practical tools. They explore how open communication and community support can transform the dance experience for dancers and parents alike. Chapters:00:23 - The importance of sharing problems and worries01:27 - Building community and belonging in dance02:01 - Challenges of sharing in dance environments03:13 - Competitive edge and gatekeeping in dance communities04:12 - Learning from different dance schools and styles05:22 - The value of peer support and community in Gold Club07:52 - The role of direct messaging and support in dancer progress09:45 - The emotional impact of holding worries inside11:18 - Creating safe spaces for sharing and growth13:02 - Using communication to improve competition performance17:18 - Encouraging questions and proactive support20:23 - The importance of understanding corrections and feedback25:50 - Tools for diagnosing and addressing dance challenges29:24 - Supporting busy dancers and parents with community33:04 - The power of sharing wins and struggles36:00 - Our experience supporting dancers and parents37:27 - Closing remarks and encouragement🔎Focus Finders Quiz - Here💛Never face a term alone, the Gold Club: Join

Megan shares an in-depth overview of the first month inside the Gold Club, a supportive online community for Irish dancers. She explains how the program helps dancers understand their corrections, work on specific goals, and achieve rapid progress through personalised strategies. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Gold Club and its purpose00:27 - Why the Gold Club was created and its evolution01:24 - The impact of COVID-19 on online coaching and community building02:24 - The development of the Gold Club's features and offerings05:09 - The 'what, why, and how' framework for corrections06:35 - Using the Focus Finder quiz to identify specific issues08:58 - The importance of understanding the 'why' behind corrections10:25 - Monthly correction clinics and personalized support13:33 - Creating a personalized plan and schedule for improvement20:15 - Success story: rapid correction improvement in two weeks24:35 - The value of understanding your body's specific needs28:53 - Join the Gold Club and transform your Irish dance journey   🔎Focus Finders Quiz - Here ⭐ Gold Club: Join

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle explore the concept of the 'come down' after major dance competitions and how dancers can use this period to rest, reflect, and build a stronger foundation for the next season. They share practical tips for mental and physical recovery, maintaining motivation, and making the most of the summer break.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the 'Come Down' and Its Impact01:48 - Why Rest and Reflection Are Crucial After Competition03:58 - How to Use Summer for Mental and Physical Recharge05:49 - Building Foundations: Mindset and Movement During Breaks08:04 - Small Daily Steps That Lead to Big Improvements09:49 - Handling the Post-Season Flatness and Burnout11:53 - Creating a Summer Plan for Progress and Fun13:53 - Supporting Dancers and Parents During the Off-Season16:01 - The Power of Evidence and Progress Tracking17:57 - Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Growth20:09 - Final Tips for a Productive and Enjoyable Summer   💛 Make this summer a steady one inside the Gold Club: Join 📱 The Free Parents Facebook Page - Reel Talk

With Belfast drawing closer, Meg talks about what actually makes MWM Fest what it is. Not the venue. Not the schedule. The FRIENDSHIP. Dancers who arrive as strangers and leave with a group chat that never goes quiet. That's the magic, and it isn't something you can put on a ticket. So this one is also a promise to every dancer who can't make it to Belfast on the 13th: you don't miss out. Because MWM Fest was never really about one day. It's about what happens when dancers stop competing against each other and start cheering for each other, and that is available to you EVERY day. Meg explains exactly how in this episode. Chapters:01:54 - The Emotional Impact of Dance and Community05:34 - Creating Connections Through Dance09:34 - The Importance of Community for Parents11:38 - The Move with Meg Gold Club Experience 🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot  ⭐ Gold Club: Join 📱 The Free Parents Facebook Page - Reel Talk

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle discuss the upcoming MWM Fest, focusing on the importance of mindset, parent support, and community in Irish dance. They share insights from Annabelle's session at the festival, highlighting how open conversations and support can transform dancers' experiences. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Event Overview02:39 - Target Audience and Session Goals05:36 - Creating a Supportive Environment for Parents08:38 - The Importance of Community and Connection11:16 - Session Dynamics and Parent Engagement14:20 - The Shift in Parent Perspectives17:05 - Conclusion and Reflections on the Event18:30 - Nervous Anticipation and Event Success21:00 - Key Lessons from the Dance Session22:51 - Navigating Relationships in Dance25:40 - Independence and Emotional Dynamics28:39 - Reestablishing Roles in Parent-Dancer Relationships31:31 - Empowerment and Community at MWM Fest   🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot  ⭐ Gold Club: Join 🧠 Annabelle's 1:1 mindset coaching: Here 🩰 Meg's 1:1 movement coaching: Here 📱 The Free Parents Facebook Page - Reel Talk

Megan shares her vision for the Move With Meg Fest, a celebration of Irish dance focused on joy, community, and self-expression without the pressure of competition. Discover how this event fosters a supportive environment where dancers can simply enjoy dancing and connect with others. Chapters:02:24 - The Essence of No Judging05:39 - Embracing No Corrections08:54 - Celebrating No Pressure11:17 - Conclusion and Invitation   ⭐ Gold Club: Join🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot 📑 MMW Fest Brochure: Here🎧 "I don't think about the podium" - Listen Here

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle explore the importance of focus, mindset, and community in achieving success in Irish dancing. They share practical tips on how to prioritize key areas, measure progress, and build confidence to stay on track. Chapters: 00:00 - The Importance of Focus in Dance02:54 - Navigating Corrections and Mindset05:30 - The Power of One Thing08:23 - Understanding the What, Why, and How11:26 - Building Confidence Through Progress14:10 - Expert Guidance and Support17:04 - Real-Life Success Stories20:49 - The Simplicity of Progress21:37 - Challenging Internal Narratives22:05 - Personalized Coaching Success Stories23:31 The Importance of Focus in Training25:12 Building a Supportive Community28:27 The Role of Parents in Dancer Development31:16 Accessibility of Dance Knowledge32:53 Prioritizing Dancer Well-being34:34 Creating a Supportive Environment37:17 Finding Your Key Focus39:28 The Three Pillars of Success   🎧 Mary Conway episode: Listen Here⭐ Gold Club: Join🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot

Megan shares insights on managing competition nerves, mindset, and preparation for Irish dancers heading to major competitions like NAN's and British Nationals. She emphasises the importance of mindset, proper warm-up, and enjoying the experience regardless of results. Chapters: 00:00 - The Pressure of Competition07:35 - Managing Expectations and External Pressure14:12 - The Importance of Preparation and Mindset18:57 - Embracing the Experience and Community   ⭐ Gold Club: Join 🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle explore key questions about mindset, confidence, and emotional well-being in Irish dance. They share practical insights, personal stories, and resources to help dancers, parents, and coaches foster a positive and resilient mindset.   Chapters: 02:52 - The Pressure of Performance05:42 - Parental Influence on Dancers08:37 - Communication Between Parents and Dancers11:26 - Navigating the Dance World as a Parent14:25 - Resources for Parents and Dancers18:29 - Creating Meaningful Memories in Dance20:27 - The Importance of Community and Support22:25 - Navigating Health Challenges in Dance27:26 - Building Resilience and Overcoming Fear29:49 - Future Plans and Continuous Growth   ⭐ Gold Club: Join 🧠 1-1 Mindset: Book Your Session 🎓 Parents Masterclass: Watch Now  👯 Parents FB Group: Come On In 📖 MWM Blog: Have a Read 🎪 MWM Fest 2026: Grab Your Spot 💌 Mailing List: Get On It

Megan Kerrigan shares her passion for Irish dance, emphasising the importance of community, friendships, and joy over competition. She discusses her personal experiences, the value of community events like MWM Fest, and how these elements shape dancers' lives beyond trophies.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Irish Dance and Personal Journey02:44 - The Importance of Friendships in Dance05:36 - Community and Shared Experiences08:19 - The Role of Competition and Support10:59 - Building a Supportive Dance Community14:05 - The Joy of Dance and Summer Camps16:46 - The MWM Fest: A Celebration of Community   ⭐ Join the Gold Club✅ Calm the Nerves Meditation (FREE in the MWM App)🎪 MWM Fest: Grab Now

This episode explores the crucial differences between confidence and self-belief in dancers preparing for nationals. Megan and Annabelle share insights on how these mindsets impact performance, how to recognise signs of lacking self-belief, and practical strategies to build confidence and self-belief from now until competition day.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Confidence and Self-Belief02:39 - Understanding the Importance of Self-Belief05:30 - The Impact of Major Competitions on Dancers08:11 - Defining Confidence vs. Self-Belief11:07 - Recognising Signs of Low Confidence and Self-Belief13:58 - Building Self-Belief in Dancers16:55 - Parental Support and Communication19:54 - Building Self-Belief in Dancers24:20 - Tracking Progress and Evidence27:21 - The National Sprint Program   🎧 Mindset Matters Part 14: Nail The Nationals Edition ⭐ Join the Gold Club  💬 Parents Facebook Page: Reel Talk

Annabelle takes the reins as host to talk directly to dance parents about what to say and do to boost their dancer's confidence. Chapters: Confidence comes from support at home, not talent or results. Pressure and support look similar but land very differently. What a dancer hears isn't always what a parent means. How you frame mistakes decides if they bounce back or spiral. Watch out for over-coaching and focusing too much on results.

In this episode, Megan Kerrigan shares the strategies that help Irish dancers qualify for nationals faster — without burning out along the way. She walks through how to build a structured plan you can actually stick to, why zeroing in on just one area of improvement at a time leads to bigger breakthroughs, and how tracking your progress (even the small wins) keeps your confidence climbing week after week. Megan also introduces her "National Sprint" program, designed to give dancers the focus, support, and momentum they need to step on that stage believing they belong there.   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and overview 02:24 - Smart preparation strategies 04:23 - Effective use of the 4-6 week window 08:06 - Creating a personalised plan 11:19 - Introducing the “National Sprint” program   🔍 Focus Finder Quiz ⭐ Join the Gold Club